NHTSA Recall Query: Power Tailgate Release Systems in 2021 Ford F-450 SD (RQ21-001)
Opened January 15, 2021 · Ford Motor Company
NHTSA opened a recall query (RQ21-001) on January 15, 2021 into power tailgate release systems in 2021 Ford F-450 SD. The investigation is closed on January 10, 2024.
RQ21-001 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | RQ21-001 |
|---|---|
| Type | Recall Query |
| Opened | January 15, 2021 |
| Status | Closed January 10, 2024 |
| Vehicles | 2021 Ford F-450 SD |
| Component | Structure > Body > Door |
| Manufacturer | Ford Motor Company |
| Resulting recall | None listed |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Ford F-450 SD?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
In January 2021, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ21-001) to assess allegations of post-recall remedy uncommanded tailgate openings in model year (MY) 2017-2019 F-250/350/450 Ford trucks.
Besides the recall remedy launched in January 2020, Ford also implemented a production update in November 2019.
At the time of the RQ opening, ODI had received eleven (11) Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs).
ODI sent an Information Request (IR) to Ford in February 2021.
In numerous meetings after receiving their IR response, Ford highlighted the drop in claims since the recall and production update and communicated how they were unable to verify the owners' complaints or replicate the concern.
Despite this, Ford began developing ways to prevent uncommanded tailgate openings from various human, mechanical or electrical causes.
Based on testing, Ford issued a Customer Satisfaction program, 21M05-S1/S2/S3, to further address the potential of unintended tailgate openings.
This work was applied to vehicles being produced as of December 20, 2021.
The program began for already delivered vehicles on July 22, 2022.
The covered models include 2017-2022 F-250, 350, 450, 550, 650 and 750 Super Duty and 2020-2022 F-600 Super Duty trucks.
ODI has received 39 VOQs between February 24, 2020, and December 15, 2023, alleging uncommanded tailgate openings.
In a detailed analysis, none of the vehicles in the VOQs were found to have received the Customer Satisfaction update.
Since ODI has not received any complaints of post-Customer Satisfaction program tailgate openings, this office is closing this Recall Query.
The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.
The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a recall query?
Recall Query is a review of whether an earlier recall actually fixed the problem or covered all the vehicles it should have. A recall query is opened when owners keep reporting the same failure after the recall repair.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
NHTSA closed this investigation on January 10, 2024 without listing a recall. That can mean NHTSA did not find a safety defect it could prove, or that the manufacturer addressed the issue another way. A closed investigation does not mean owners have no lemon law claim if the problem keeps happening.
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ford | F-450 SD |
What are Ford F-450 SD owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 18 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2025-2027 Ford Expedition Headlight Recall (26V606)
- 2021-2023 Lincoln Navigator Windshield Wiper Recall (26V204)
- 2021-2022 Ford F-250 SD Fuel Pump Recall (26V158)
- 2021-2026 Ford F-150 Taillight Recall (26V104)
- 2021-2022 Ford Expedition Sunroof Recall (25V729)
- 2021-2022 Ford F-250 SD Backup Camera Software Recall (25V686)
- 2021 Ford F-250 SD Steering Column Recall (25V626)
- 2025-2026 Ford F-450 SD Instrument Cluster Recall (25V540)
- 2021-2023 Ford Bronco Fuel Pump Recall (25V455)
- 2025 Ford F-450 SD Brake Pedal Recall (25V401)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.